UFC 141: Donald Cerrone – The Cowboy Way

Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone and Leonard Garcia are both part of the Jackson’s MMA Team in Albuquerque, N.M., training under coaches Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn. But you won’t always find them in the gym in town.

The two fighters that have grown as close, or closer than, brothers over the years, own a ranch outside of town. They’ve outfitted the house with extra bedrooms and built a full-on gym of their own out on the ranch. Why? Because they allow fighters from around the world to come stay on the ranch and train with them there and at Jackson’s.

Cerrone is slated to fight at UFC 141 in Las Vegas on Dec. 30, his fifth bout in a banner year. Having already gone four-for-four, “Cowboy” has turned a corner in his career, rocketing up the UFC lightweight ranks, now in a co-main event showdown against Nate Diaz.

He and Garcia attribute much of that to the lifestyle they lead out on the ranch. Bringing in hungry fighters from all over the world not only gives those fighters an opportunity, it keeps Cerrone and Garcia motivated and stock full of eager training partners.

Preparing for his UFC 141 fight with Diaz, Cerrone allowed MMAWeekly.com’s Conner Cordova full access to check out The Cowboy Way on the ranch. And now we bring it to you in this behind the scenes look at Donald Cerrone…

Being from my home town and training at our sister gym Jackson’s, I hope he cracks those tibia’s with a good low kick.

maddawgmar

Cerrone should spank Diaz. His stand up is far superior, plus Diaz has rarely if ever fought someone taller than him. His wrestling is good enough to stop Diazs takedowns. If the fight goes to the ground his Jui-jitzu is good enough to not get caught in a move. I feel that Diazs only chance is a flash submission from a crazy position.

RonnieV

Fight of the night! Both guys bring it! I’m a Diaz fan, but no bold predictions. I do think this will be Cerrone’s toughest fight (outside of Henderson). If Cerrone wins he should be listed in the upper echelon of lightweights. Diaz seems to be the barrier between good & great lightweights.

maddawgmar

Not taking anything away from Diaz, he is a top tier fighter at lightweight. His loss to Maynard was razor thin, but on my card he won that fight. I just think Cerrone is better. His only losses coming from Varner when he was young and two losses to Henderson, one could have been ruled a win. I like the Diaz too but I feel Cerrone has his number. But, any given day, anything can happen.